The Commercial city of Blantyre, amidst the prevailing weather conditions is dutifully chilly.
Perhaps for the first time, nature will pave way for the extraordinary, be still, and let all the whirlwinds of football settle at Kamuzu Stadium, as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets begin their Airtel Top 8 defence against a highly spirited Creck Sporting Club.
The stakes are sky high, the expectations of the fans are water-tight. It will be a cracker!
FCB Nyasa Big bullets, who in themselves, are perfecting their artistry of being Airtel Top 8 cup specialists, having won a record three times, will take to the field of play with reignited spirit.
Admirably, the ‘Red Army’ reached the finals of the prestigious cup twice, losing to Blue Eagles in 2018 and Mighty wanderers in 2022.
The pedigree of such record can never be thrown under carpet in any technical analysis prior to such scintillating feast of football. Buoyed by their league triumph against fellow league contenders, Silver Strikers; Bullets supporters will ramble through the ‘Jericho’ walls of Kamuzu Stadium with victorious confidence.
In his ranks and files, Coach Peter Mponda has a balanced football diet of player selection, in every other department.
Babatunde Adepoju, whose exploits, like wine, is getting finer with age, if left unattended, will definitely be a principal mercenary in the sinister plot to suffocate Joseph Kamwendo’s visiting interns.
Creck Sporting FC, a season old in the top flight league, booked this coveted berth, by defying odds in emerging top 8 in their maiden season.
Adequately funded, Creck Sporting boosts a luxury of new acquisitions that are poised to send strong technical statement to any rival that crisscrosses their way.
Their head tactician Joseph Kamwendo, who, as a player has sniffed the gruesome atmosphere at Kamuzu Stadium several times, will demand nothing, but victory from his well-fed stars.
He has at his disposal if he so desires to rely on experience, Brighton Munthali, Miracle Gabeya, Hardy Ng’andu and Hadji Wali, might take matters in their own hands.
If his instincts allows him to entertain the fans, the likes of Isaac Msiska, Clement Mdokwe and Hassan Hussein, will surely be thrown in the thick of things.
Dented by their recent league game loss against Dedza Dynamos with a wider 4-1 margin, Creck will be too cautious not to repeat similar errors that will put them at any intense pressure.
In the epilogue, when the three whistling wise-men dismiss the party, it will yet to be seen if the Ndirande wailing and yelling brothers will receive an amplified resonance, or the dusty roads of area 36 will lure noise pollution in their vicinity. It is yet, to be seen.
